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Feeding Cows 
for Profit 




By 

VALANCEY E. FULLER 

1914 



Copyrighted by the Author— 1914 



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MAY 13 1914 

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0VERY dairy cow is breaking down tissue constantly, whether at 
work or resting- and this must be rebuilt by feed. 
The body of the cow must be warmed and energy furnished her with 
which to do her work, and feed is necessary for these purposes. This is 
nature's demand. 

Cows are working hard when giving milk and they naturally 
need more food than when at rest. They also require the right kind of feed 
when dry so that they may have the material to grow their calves. 

There are three classes of nutrients which must be given cows in their 
feed to enable them to perform their triple task — protein, carbohydrates (in- 
cluding fats) and mineral matter or ash. 

The protein content of the feed makes blood, lean flesh, grows the hair, 
hide, hoofs and muscular tissue of the calf. It also builds up the broken- 
down tissue of the cow herself, and, in the case of a heifer, builds up the 
tissues of the udder. 

Caseine is a pure form of protein and cows must be given protein to 
make the caseine in their milk. 

To heat her body and give energy to work the cow must be supplied 
with the requisite carbohydrates, including fat. In estimating carbohydraftes, 
the fats are worth 2}^ times as much as any other carbohydrates, and are 
multiplied by this figure and added to the other carbohydrates known as ni- 
trogenous free extract. 

There are three main things for which her feed must provide ash or 
mineral matter : her own bony structure, the bones of her calf, and the small 
proportion of ash in her milk. 

If the ration contains too much protein and too little carbohydrates, the 
cow can take from the excess protein material to supply the deficiency of 
carbohydrates; but that is a most expensive and wasteful practice. If tbe 
balance is the other way she cannot use the carbohydrates to make up any 
lack of protein. 

If there is a shortage of protein in the feed given a cow that is milking 
and in calf, she will, true to her maternal instinct, take from her own body 
the material needed for the growth of her calf, becoming thinner and thinner. 
Consequently she will not have enough protein left for her maximum 
yield of milk, and will gradually shrink in her flow and finally cease to 
give any milk. Nature compels her to put the right proportion of con- 
stituents in her milk ; and, as caseine, made from the protein in the feed, 
is one of these materials, when neither the feed nor the body flesh will 
give any more protein, she must of necessity go dry. 

The use an animal makes of its feed is called "burning it up" ; and 
the part which cannot be burned is called mineral matter or ash. This 
is a very necessary part of the nutrients, as bones make up about six 
to nine per cent of the body of the dairy cow and ash makes up about 



70 per cent of the bones. In the flesh, muscles, etc., there is a trifle short 
of one per cent of ash, and there is also mineral matter in the blood, as 
well as a small percentage in the milk. Ash has a definite part in the 
economy of the cow and her products and we must give it to her in her 
feed. 

A balanced ration is one in which, experience has taught, the pro- 
portion of protein to carbohydrates is such that there is no waste of the 
feed given for the cow's highest production. 

In speaking of protein and carbohydrates throughout this booklet 
we refer only to digestible nutrients : that is, such portions as are di- 
gested and assimilated by the cow. 

Experience has taught that for every pound of protein the cow 
should be fed from five to six and a half pounds of carbohydrates, in- 
cluding fat. This would have a ratio of 1 :5.0 or 1 :6.5. The ratio is the 
relation the protein bears to the carbohydrates, and is found by dividing 
the total carbohydrates by the total protein in the feed. As for example : 
if the ration contains a total of 2^ lbs. of protein and 13.5 lbs. of carbo- 
hydrates, dividing the carbohydrates by the protein we get a ratio of 
1 :5.4. 

If the ration has less than 5 lbs. of carbohydrates to every pound of 
protein, or, as it is expressed, 1 :5.0, it is called a narrow ration ; if it con- 
tains more carbohydrates than 6.5 lbs. to 1 lb. of protein it is called a 
wide ration. 

We must so feed the cow that when dry she will be able to live and 
keep her body in good condition without losing or gaining in weight. 
This is known as a maintenance ration. 

No hard and fast rules can be laid down for feeding dairy cows. 
Each cow is a law unto herself. One cow is more nervous than another; 
each differs from the other in the amount of nutrients necessary, first for 
maintenance, and second for production. 

While no one ration is equally adapted to all cows, even of the same 
weight and giving approximately the same amount of milk and fat per 
cent, science and practice have given enough data to enable us to ap- 
proximate the amounts of digestible protein and carbohydrates usually 
needed for maintenance and the production of a certain quantity of milk 
and fat; but the feeder must test out each individual cow. 

THE BEST RATION IS ONLY A GUIDE AND IS NOT AP- 
PLICABLE TO ALL COWS. 



SUCCULENCE 

Of the four requisites in a ration, succulence, palatability, digesti- 
bility and fat, succulence in our opinion is the most important ; because 
when a succulent is fed with other roughage and grains, it renders them 
more palatable and aids in their digestion ; as, for instance, June pasture, 
which is known to be nature's best food for the dairy cow, although it 
contains 80 per cent water. When a cow is at pasture, all she has to do 



is to eat all the grass she possibly can and she will give all the milk she 
is capable of, and at the lowest cost for production. This demonstrates 
the need and value of succulence. 

Corn silage is the cheapest succulent that can be given the dairy- 
cow, both winter and summer. She is very fond of it and will leave even 
bright alfalfa hay or grain to eat her silage. It can be grown very 
cheaply. A thousand-pound cow can easily eat as much as 35 lbs. a day, 
at a cost of a little over six cents, if silage is $3.50 per ton, and so save 
10 lbs. of hay, which would cost 12^ cents, at $25 per ton. Not only 
this, but she will give more milk, keep herself in better condition and 
assimilate her food better. 

It has been proven by the work at the New Jersey Station in 1913 
that corn silage can be grown, placed in the silo, and fed at less cost 
during the summer, than soiling crops. It has the advantage that once 
in the silo it is not affected by drought, as soiling crops are. The needed 
help can be hired at the time of harvesting the corn for the silo; it is on 
hand at all times: whereas, men and teams have to be sent out at least 
once, and generally twice a day to cut the soiling crops, and if drought 
comes there is a shortage in yield. 

' Other forms of succulence are roots — turnips, mangels and beets. 
These are much relished by the cow and seem to produce some eflfect 
that makes them more beneficial as a feed than chemical analysis would 
indicate. While there is a large proportion of water in them, it is a great 
deal like the juice of an apple : it has a salutary effect on the kidneys and 
liver. The majority of farmers object to growing roots on account of the 
labor. While they are far more expensive than corn silage, the labor put 
into their cultivation is most beneficial to the land and makes a good 
return on the crop the following year. 

Turnips, if liberally fed, have a tendency to taint the milk unless fed 
immediately after milking. 

Roots can never compare in economy with corn silage. 

Another form of succulence of comparatively recent use is dried beet 
pulp, which is referred to later. 

While molasses can hardly be considered a succulent, where there is 
no succulence it is desirable to feed a small amount of it, or to use some 
of the good molasses feeds. One of the benefits of any succulent is its 
action on the bowels of the cow ; and where it is lacking molasses seems 
to take its place to a limited extent. It is best to dilu,te it with hot water 
before using, and it is especially indicated where the hay or other rough- 
age is of poor character and does not appeal to the cow's taste. Cows 
like molasses so well that they will, for its sweetness, eat roughage they 
otherwise refuse to touch. 

Where molasses is fed, not more than one pint should be used at 
first, gradually increasing the amount, watching the droppings all the 
time, but do not feed beyond one and one-half quarts per day to a thou- 
sand-pound cow. If too much is fed at first the cows will scour. 

If there is no succulence and the feeder objects to molasses on ac- 
count of mangers becoming sticky and does not wish to use any prepared 
feeds, the ration should contain some linseed oil meal, old process. 



PALATABILITY 

It is most essential that a cow's food should appeal to her appetite. 
Far too little attention is paid to this phase of feeding. Feeders are par- 
ticular to balance their ration, yet seem to care little whether its com- 
position will please the taste of the animal. In all our dealings with 
cows and their peculiarities, we have always tried to think what would 
be good for a human being and apply it to the cow. 

We know how our appetite can be affected by the appearance of 
food on our table. Many a person sits down not feeling hungry, but if 
the table is so ordered that it pleases Jhe taste, and what is there is appe- 
tizing, the appetite will be improved. While the eye of a cow does not 
play so important a part as the human eye, the bovine sense of smell is 
much more acute, and the cow depends largely on it to know whether 
the feed before her is palatable. To demonstrate this we have only to 
give some hay that has been messed over by another cow and see how 
it will be avoided, except in a case of extreme hunger. 

We have seen that a cow must be fed a certain amount of food to 
sustain life, that of the foetus, and to make milk. If we feed her but a 
maintenance ration, after she has taken the needed material from her 
own body she cannot make any more milk. It follows that the surplus 
feed over that which is for maintenance is used to make milk ; and that 
the more feed we can get her to eat within a safe limit, the more milk 
will she make. That is one reason we all love a good feeder. 

How are we to make the feed palatable? First by feeding in a clean 
manger; never letting anything stay in it to mould. If we feed more 
roughage than is eaten up, the manger should be cleaned out immedi- 
ately after the cow has done eating, because she makes the hay unpala- 
table by breathing on it. 

As to the grain mixture, two grains are more palatable than one, and 
three still more so. Another reason three grains should be preferred is 
that two may lack in ash and the third may give it. 

Our experience has been that when a cow likes her feed she makes 
a lot of milk on it. 

Pasture is very palatable to the cow ; she will often eat 80 lbs. a day. 
But, when dried, unless she likes it, she will not eat more than 18 to 
20 lbs. 

Cows will eat more corn silage than corn stover. The former 
pleases the appetite and the latter does not. 

One of the best results of palatability is that it starts the flow of 
saliva, a great aid to digestion. 

DIGESTIBILITY 

The value of all food is in the part that is digested. The balance 
passes away in excrement. 

Mastication is the first step in digestion, the chewing or breaking 
up of the food to make it ready for the stomach juices. In the process 
of chewing the food is moistened by the saliva, which hastens the process 
of digestion and produces some chemical changes in the constituents. 



It is unquestioned that the secretion of the digestive fluids is controlled 
by the nervous system. Digestibility is aided by palatability. This 
accounts to a great extent for the success of one feeder over another 
where the same grains or roughages are used by both. One makes his 
ration appetizing to the cow; the other fails to take this into account. 
One tempts the cow's appetite, the other does not. 

It has been conclusively proven by experiments in this country and 
Germany that no good follows the cooking of feeds. The reason is that 
the protein is rendered less digestible. Some seem to think that the 
oftener a cow is fed the better will be her yield. We have not found it 
so. We believe that regularity in feeding is more important than the 
number of feedings per day, provided she is given all she will clean up. 
Digestion does not always mean production. In the last analysis the 
cow herself, the breed, her health and surroundings, all affect what she 
makes out of the food we give her. One instance of this is the fact that 
you cannot feed fat into milk. You can increase the milk flow ; but the 
animal herself, according to her breed and the state of development of 
her natural characteristics will put into it the fat and solids Nature pro- 
vides that she shall. 

FATS 

All dairymen know that fat in milk of the same cow may vary 
greatly at different periods, and will vary materially in the first drawing 
and the strippings. 

While a cow's milk may vary in the per cent of fat from day to day 
and from milking to milking, every cow is born with the ability to give 
a certain fat, which she will average in the long run. 

Changes in feed will often temporarily change the fat — that is for a 
few days — but the cow will come back to her old fat again very shortly, 
provided she has been reasonably well fed and is giving her normal flow. 
A cow poorly fed may give a slightly lower fat than her normal per cent, 
but she is born with a fixed normal fat, which varies more with the breed 
than anything else. The longer the cow is in lactation, the higher will 
her fat be, within her own limit. 

It is well known that strippings are extremely rich in fat, and the 
milk first drawn is low. In an experiment conducted by Prof. Babcock 
in Trial No. 1 the first milk contained but 1.32 per cent fat and the 
stripping 9.63 per cent; in the second trial, the first milk contained but 
1.07 per cent fat and the strippings 10.35 per cent. The solids other than 
fat were about the same in fore milk and strippings. 

For some time it was thought that the fat in milk was taken from 
the fat and protein in the feed. It is now generally conceded that not 
only the fat or oil in the feed, but the protein content, as well as the 
carbohydrates other than fat contributes to that end. 

It is well known that when a cow is fed a rich protein ration while 
dry, she will store a lot of lean meat on her body and is enabled in some 
mysterious way to give an abnormal percentage of fat in her milk when 
she freshens. As the lean meat works off her body the fat per cent be- 
comes normal. 



FIBRE 

The value of a feed is determined not only by the amount of pro- 
tein, carbohydrates (especially fats) and ash, but also by the amount of 
fibre, which is called crude fibre. This is the tough or woody part of the 
roughage, or of the plant or grain from which the feed is made. It con- 
sists largely of cellulose or cell tissues. The best examples are the lint 
of cotton and of wood pulp. Certain States make laws against selling 
feeds that have too large a proportion of crude fibre, because it is very 
hard of digestion, and beyond a certain stage the more crude fibre there 
is in a feed the less valuable it is. Dairymen should reject any feed that 
has too much fibre in it. 

The amount varies, but as a rule the larger the plant the more fibre. 
Dry matter in the trunks and limbs of trees is mostly woody fibre ; there 
is more in the stems than in the foliage. 

Grass and other herbages are low in fibre ; beets, turnips and pota- 
toes have less than grass. In the former there is more fibre in the leaves 
and stems than in the tubers themselves. In grains and seeds the fibre 
is mostly in the outer coatings, while the interior has little. That is one 
reason bran is difficult to digest, while ground corn (which has the 
whole of the grain), gluten meal, or any other feed made from the in- 
terior part of the grain is easy for the cow to digest. 

Straws are very high in crude fibre, which is one reason, apart from 
the lack of nutrients, that they are poor feeds. Hays also have much 
fibre. 

The stage of growth at which plants are used for fodder has a great 
influence on the proportion of crude fibre. The younger they are, the 
less fibre, and the older, the more fibre. Here is one reason early cut 
hay is more beneficial to the cow than late. Pasture grass has little fibre 
and the early cut grass less than that which has ripened. The difference 
is due to the greater proportion of woody fibre and the decrease in water 
in the tissues. 

ROUGHAGES 

The cow is a ruminating animal and as such must have a large quan- 
tity of roughage in her paunch, it being her nature. She eats much grain, 
and if there is not a goodly lot of roughage to break up or mix the grain, 
it packs and is harder to digest. She has then to use up more energy to 
digest her food, which energy should be used to make milk and fat. Do 
not stint your cow's hay or fodder: it is a cheap feed for the place it 
fills and a prime necessity in dairy production. 

Dairymen should be able to make their own rations and to grow 
their feed instead of buying it. To help toward that end is one reason 
for writing this booklet. 

Roughage forms a very important part of every dairy ration ; be- 
cause two-thirds of the dry matter should be furnished through it. As 
roughage is usually grown on the farm, two-thirds of the nutrients are 
provided from home grown crops in this form. 

A thousand-pound cow, giving from 22 to 30 lbs. of milk, according 
to her fat, will need from 24 to 26 lbs. of dry matter, about 2^^ lbs. of 
protein and from 13^ to 15 lbs. of carbohydrates per day. 



As two-thirds of this dry matter amounts to 16 to 17 1-3 lbs., as the 
case may be, it will be seen what an important part roughage plays in 
making a ration. 

It stands to reason that if roughage is lacking in protein and has too 
much carbohydrates, it will be needful to feed grains rich in protein and 
low in carbohydrates. These are usually the by-products, such as cot- 
tonseed and linseed oil meals, gluten feed, distillers' dry grains and 
brewers' grains. Reference to the table in another part of this book, 
showing the analysis of all the feeds, and the table showing the cost per 
ton, will show that those feeds rich in protein usually cost the most per 
ton, though giving the protein at the lowest cost per pound. It also fol- 
lows that the lower the protein in roughage, the more money the farmer 
has to pay for grains. This shows the need of growing on the farm 
alfalfa, clover hay, oat and pea hay, soy bean hay, crimson clover, cow- 
pea hay, or alsike clover, all of which are high in protein ; and most of 
which benefit the land they are grown on. 

Dairy farmers who have seen the paunch of a cow opened and noted 
the amount of roughage she carried, should readily realize the need for 
giving a large amount. 

Some cows are so heavily grained week in and week out that they 
have no appetite for roughage ; and if this is persisted in for generations 
it will produce cattle without sufficiently large paunches to hold the 
cheapest of all feeds — roughage. 

Our experience is that a cow with a very deep paunch, indicative 
of a large stowage capacity, will produce her full limit of milk, and live 
longer than a cow lacking girth, and will usually produce more milk and 
butter at less cost per pound. 

In making a ration, the exact amount of roughage the cows con- 
sume should be in^cluded. Feeders should therefore be careful to know 
that the amount they have set down is the exact amount consumed, and 
none is wasted. The best plan is to weigh in the roughage the first day 
the ration is fed, and weigh back any left over. Then alter the ration 
to accord with the exact amount consumed. 

ROUGHAGES 

Reference to the tables of digestible nutrients found on pages 22 
and 23 shows the amount of dry matter, protein and carbohydrates 
each roughage gives, as well as the ratio. 

We have seen that two-thirds of the dry matter should be taken 
from the roughage, and, as it is generally wise to make a ration, as a 
basis, containing from 23 to 24 lbs. of dry matter, about 2.5 lbs. protein 
and from 13.75 lbs. to 15.5 lbs. carbohydrates, it follows that the rough- 
age should supply from 16 to 17 lbs. of dry matter. 

The ratio of the roughage has an important bearing on the cost of 
the grain used with it. If the roughage contains little protein compared 
with the carbohydrates (or the ratio is wide) it will be necessary to use 
much more grain or feed to give protein than where the roughage pro- 
vides a goodly quantity. In the former case the grain or feed must be 
high in protein to properly balance the ration ; and we have seen that 
this class of feed costs the most per ton. 



GREEN FODDERS 

Turning again to the table of digestible nutrients on pages 22 
and 23, we see great variations in the amount of protein in soiling 
crops as well as in their ratios. 

We will divide them into three classes : first, those where one pound 
of any green fodder gives between .01 lbs. and .019 lbs. protein, namely 
corn silage, fodder corn, peas and barley, peas and oats and cowpeas ; 
second, those in which one pound gives from .02 lbs. to .029 lbs. protein, 
namely, pea vine silage, Hungarian grass, rye, pasture grass, crimson 
clover, alsike clover and red clover; third, those where one pound of 
fodder exceeds .029 lbs. protein, namely, soy beans, alfalfa, sorghum and 
millet. 

It follows that those in the first class give the least protein in a ra- 
tion and those in the third class supply the most. 

For instance, 15 lbs. of fodder corn give but .15 lbs. protein, where 
a like quantity of alfalfa gives .585 lbs. 

In considering which fodder to grow to supplement pasture, we must 
take into consideration the character of the dry hay we have on hand. 

If we are feeding alfalfa hay, which has a ratio of 1 :3.8, we should 
feed with it a green fodder which contains a good deal of carbohydrates 
to widen the ratio. We have found corn silage as not only the cheapest 
but it has given the best results with alfalfa. If that cannot be used, 
feed fodder corn, millet or green sorghum. 

If we are feeding mixed hay, which has a ratio of 1 :7.4, we should 
use a green fodder with a fairly narrow ratio, such as red clover, cowpea, 
rye, etc. 

We have found this a good rule : where the ratio of the hay is nar- 
row, use a green fodder with a wide ratio ; if the hay ratio is wide, use 
a green fodder with a narrow ratio, such as peas and oats, crimson clover 
and soy bean. 

DRY FODDERS 

Turning to the consideration of the dry hays, we note ten pounds of 
timothy hay gives but .28 lbs. protein and 4.65 lbs. carbohydrates, and is 
extremely wide in its ratio ; where a like quantity of mixed hay gives 
.62 lbs. protein and 4.6 lbs. carbohydrates, and has a moderately narrow 
ratio. Clover hay provides .68 lbs. protein and 3.96 lbs. carbohydrates 
and alfalfa 1.1 lbs. protein and 4.23 lbs. carbohydrates. 

If we study the rations found later on for a practical application of 
the benefit of using a high protein hay narrow in ratio, we will see that 
we need not use so many pounds of grain with such hay, or that the grain 
or feed we combine with it costs less per ton. On the contrary, when 
we feed a low protein hay with a wide ratio, we not only have to feed 
more grain with it, but that grain costs more per ton. 

Apart from its low protein, timothy hay is woody — has a large 
amount of fibre — is difficult of digestion and uses in assimilation a large 
amount of the cow's energy. In fact, it is no feed for the dairy cow, 
nor is she fond of it. It usually commands a higher price than either 

10 



clover or mixed hay. Farmers who do not have alfalfa or clover to feed 
with timothy had better sell the latter and replace it by clover hay if 
possible, or at least with mixed hay. 

By consulting the table of digestible nutrients on pages 22 and 23 
we find that 10 lbs. of alfalfa hay gives 1.1 lbs. protein; 10 lbs. of soy 
bean hay gives 1.06 lbs.; cowpea hay, 1 lb.; crimson clover, 1.05 lbs.; 
red clover, .84 lbs. ; oat and pea hay, .76 lbs., and mixed hay, .62 lbs. 
These figures show the relative value of these hays in providing protein 
and their figures show the relative value of these hays in providing 
protein and their economic value in feeding. 

It may be broadly stated that the higher any hay is in protein, the 
more feeding value has it. 

We often marvel that dairymen will not learn the greater profit 
there is to them in growing and feeding alfalfa, clover, oat and pea, 
soy bean and cowpea hays. 

STRAWS AND FODDERS 

A further study of the tables will show that straws and corn fodders 
are low in protein, have a very wide ratio, are deficient in dry matter 
and of low feeding value. 

CORN SILAGE 

The necessity of feeding cows some succulence the year through 
is generally recognized. 

The value of corn silage as an economical succulent for winter feed- 
ing is thoroughly appreciated by all good feeders. 

When fed with clover, alfalfa or soy bean hay, a good ration can 
be made for cows giving from 20 lbs. of rich milk to 22 lbs. of thinner 
milk a day. But when the milk yield exceeds these amounts, roughage 
must be supplemented by grain. 

SUMMER SILAGE 

In later years it is becoming apparent that corn silage is the cheap- 
est and best source of the necessary succulence during the summer 
months when pastures fail ; and the best feeders are now depending 
on silage for that purpose, rather than on soiling crops. To provide 
sufficient silage to carry over the summer feeding additional silos are 
constantly being built so that enough silage may be had for that pur- 
pose ; and when new silos are being erected, sufficient capacity is being 
provided for summer silage. This is the height of wisdom. 

It is not so injuriously effected by the changing seasons or by 
drought as soiling crops. 

It is easier and more economical to plant and cultivate a large acre- 
age of silo corn than to continuously plant and cultivate soiling crops 
through the summer. 

Peas and oats are the crop which in most localities is the mainstay 
of the soiling system. Now that alfalfa hay is growing in popularity, 
we have found it a most difficult problem to balance properly a ration 

11 



with alfalfa hay as a roughage and green alfalfa or green oats and peas 
as a succulent where soiling is practiced. Alfalfa hay has a ratio of 
1:3.8; green alfalfa, 1:3.5; green oats and peas, 1:6.1; whereas corn 
silage has a ratio of 1 :14.3. 

If 12 lbs. of alfalfa hay is fed, and 30 lbs. green alfalfa also, the 
combination will produce 2.49 lbs. protein and 9.216 lbs. carbohydrates, 
with a ratio of 1 :3.7. If we substitute 30 lbs. green oats and peas for 
the green alfalfa the combination will produce 1.86 lbs. protein, 8.406 
lbs. carbohydrates, and have a ratio of 1 :4.5. If we feed 12 lbs. of 
alfalfa hay and 30 lbs. corn silage, they will give 1.59 lbs. of protein and 
8.946 lbs. carbohydrates and have a ratio of 1 :5.0. 

SAVING WITH SILAGE 

While it is admitted that succulence is needed at all seasons, and 
that where it is part of the ration the milk flow increases, there are still 
those who doubt if it is as economical a feed as is claimed. Let us take 
some concrete examples of cost. 

Turn to tables A, B, C and D, following this chapter, where this 
question is worked out in a practical way. 

It will be seen in table A that 20 lbs. of clover hay has provided 
1.36 lbs. protein and 7.92 lbs. carbohydrates at a cost of 18 cents. In 
table B it is shown that 12 lbs. of the same hay and 35 lbs. silage have 
together produced 1.131 lbs. protein and 9.267 lbs. carbohydrates, and 
that it needs but 3-5 of a pound of cottonseed meal to practically equal 
the protein given by 20 lbs. clover and exceed the carbohydrates. The 
saving through silage will be noted as 1.53 cents. In a dairy of 25 cows 
this means a saving of $69.80 per six months, to say nothing of the in- 
creased milk flow. 

Figuring the same way by tables C and D where alfalfa hay is fed 
in one ration and alfalfa and corn silage in another, we find the saving 
in cost of feed through use of the latter is equal to $73.00 for six months 
where 25 cows are fed. 

TABLE A. Per 

Ratio Dry Mat. Protein Carbs Ton Cost 

lbs. lbs. lbs. 

20 lbs. clover hay 1:5.8 17.00 1.360 7.920 $18 $.18 

TABLE B. 

12 lbs. clover hay 10.20 .816 4.752 18 $.102 

35 " corn silage 7.35 .315 4.515 3.50 .0525 

3/5 " cottonseed 1.09 .223 .266 34.00 .0102 

18.64 1.354 9.533 .1647 

The saving by silage $.0153 per day. 

TABLE C. 
20 lbs. alfalfa hay.... 1:3.8 18.40 2.200 8.460 24.00 .24 

TABLE D. 

12 lbs. alfalfa hay 11.04 1.320 5.076 24.00 .144 

35 " corn silage 7.35 .315 4.515 3.50 .0525 

IV. " cottonseed 1.38 .558 .666 34.00 .0255 



20.77 2.193 10.257 .222 

The saving by silage $.018. 

12 



DRIED BEET PULP 

Heavy feeds may be lightened by the use of dried beet pulp and it 
is also recognized as a most excellent succulent. Neither corn silage 
nor roots can be used to lighten heavy feeds; and in this respect beet 
pulp has an advantage over them. 

When the sugar is extracted from the beet pulp, the residue is dried 
at once, which makes it very light; it is immediately packed in sacks 
for shipment, and will keep indefinitely. 

Like roots and silage, the benefits which follow the feeding of dried 
beet pulp cannot be determined by any chemical analysis of it. 

Those who have corn silage or roots will find it a most excellent 
form of succulence; and where roots and com silage can be had, the 
best results have followed the feeding of dried beet pulp with either 
or both. 

We have already seen that where we feed heavy grains, it is need- 
ful that light ones be mixed with them so that the stomach juices may 
act readily. Dried beet pulp being bulky and extremely light aids very 
materially in the digestion of other grains fed with it, as it enables the 
gastric juice to get at all the feed and so aids in ready assimilation. 
Strange as it may seem, some carefully conducted experiments with 
which we are familiar have demonstrated that the same amount of dry 
matter in dried beet pulp as is contained in the sugar beets themselves 
produced more milk. We believe this is due to the lightening quality of 
the beet pulp. 

It has proved to be a most excellent succulent for dry cows. It is 
cooling, keeps the bowels in good condition ; can be stored in a com- 
paratively small space; keeps, as we have said, indefinitely; and is most 
successful in maintaining the flow of milk when cows are on the show 
circuit. 

COMPARISON OF COSTS 

When we have to pay $26 per ton for beet pulp while corn silage 
costs only $3.50 per ton in the silo, the natural presumption would be 
that the former would cost enormously as a feed, compared with silage ; 
but it is generally conceded that one pound of dried beet pulp has as 
much feeding value as 5 lbs. of corn silage. It will be seen by the table 
below that 4.4 lbs. of the beet pulp will give as much protein as 30 lbs. 
of silage, and that the cost of the former is only about ^ cent more than 
the latter. We prefer to feed it soaked the night before for the morn- 
ing feeding, or in the morning for the afternoon feeding, using as much 
water as it will readily absorb, about one to four or one to six parts. 
We also prefer to feed it mixed with the grain. Many people like to 
feed it dry ; but if this is done the cows should have an extra allow- 
ance of water. 

It is conceded that 1 lb. dried beet pulp has the same feeding value 
as one pound of corn ; and it has the added value of succulence. 

COSTS OF SILAGE AND BEET PULP COMPARED 

Protein Carbs Per Ton Cost 

LBS. LBS. 

30 lbs. silage 6.30 .270 $ 3.50 $.0525 

4.4 " beet pulp 4.05 .273 26.00 .0572 

13 



ROOTS 

The chemical analysis of roots does not begin to tell their full bene- 
fit as milk makers. True, there is a large amount of water in them ; but 
that the water — juices in reality — have a most beneficial effect on the 
health of the cow in regulating the bowels and kidneys is beyond dis- 
pute. They help to keep the cow in a healthy, thrifty condition. ALSO 
COWS ARE CAPABLE OF THEIR BEST PRODUCTION ONLY 
WHEN THEY ARE IN SUCH CONDITION. 

We have found that even when there is an ample supply of corn 
silage the milk flow is improved by substituting some roots for silage. 



GRAINS 

One of the general principles of mixing grains in a ration is that 
light grains should be mixed with heavy ones to aid in the more ready 
assimilation of the latter. Unless this is done the heavy grains are apt 
to lay in the digestive tract and are difficult of digestion. Heavy grains 
will be found in the tables on pages 24 and 25 in heavy type. Those 
in lighter type are the lighter grains. 

Heating feeds such as cottonseed meal, gluten and corn should be 
combined with cooling feeds such as bran, ground oats, distillers' dried 
grains or linseed oil meal. 

In selecting his grain mixture, the feeder should see that it is so 
combined that the droppings of the cows will be in good condition, 
neither too loose nor too hard ; that variety is given by using at least 
three kinds ; that succulence is supplied and that there is a fair pro- 
portion of ash. 

Where three grains are combined, there is usually enough ash in one 
of them, especially if alfalfa, mixed hay or clover is fed. 

It is not our purpose to go into a general discussion as to the 
analysis of grains, their source, etc., but we will content ourselves with 
some general remarks as to their application to feeding and how they 
can best be combined, taking them in the order in which they appear in 
the tables on pages 24-5. 

CORN MEAL 

We always like to have corn meal in a ration to keep cows in good 
condition, adding or subtracting it according as the cows get too thin 
or too fat ; and regardless of whether it unbalances the ration or not. 

Corn meal is very heating and rather constipating. If fed to ex- 
cess without being combined with other grains, it tends to dry the 
cows up ; but it is nevertheless one of the best feeds for keeping cows 
in good condition. 

This grain is fairly low in oil, and it and all its byproducts such as 
distillers' dried grains, gluten feed, gluten meal, hominy chop, corn 
silage, etc., are low in ash. It is a carbonaceous feed. Corn is one of 
the most easily digested of all grains, and cows are extremely fond of it. 

14 



HOMINY CHOP 

This is not nearly so heating as corn. The amount of fat in the 
former is double that in corn meal. It too is a carbonaceous feed. 

Many cows will do well with hominy added to their feed and not 
so well where corn meal is used. 

GROUND OATS 

There is no feed which cows will relish for so long a time as ground 
oats ; or which can be fed so continuously without their stalling. It is 
cooling, light, and can be mixed with heavy feeds in the place of Ijran. 

Notwithstanding what has been claimed to the contrary, it is our 
experience, backed up by the results of feeding twenty-five cows for 124 
days in the World's Fair Dairy Test at Chicago in 1893, in which each 
day's butter was scored by competent experts, that ground oats impart 
a high flavor to the milk. 

Ground oats are fairly rich in ash and fat. They may be ted in 
goodly quantities. 

BARLEY CHOP 

Barley chop has considerable feeding value and is much used in 
Denmark, usually with oats, and also on the Pacific slope. 

It should be rolled, not ground, because when finely ground it be- 
comes pasty. 

This grain is high in crude fibre compared with corn and oats 
and low in fat; while it is fairly rich in ash. 

When, for any reason, barley has become injured so that it can- 
not be sold on the open market, it can be used to advantage in feeding 
dairy cows. 

RYE FEED 

Cows do not take readily to rye feed. If fed to excess it gives an 
undesirable flavor to milk. It is low in fat and in ash ; is slightly higher 
in digestible protein than corn and has a narrow ratio. It is not com- 
mended for dairy cows. 

RED DOG FLOUR 

Red Dog or Dark Feeding Flour is quite a little higher in protein 
than standard middlings or wheat bran, and contains more carbo- 
hydrates than either. It is also rich in fat. It is highly esteemed by 
those who have fed it. Owing to the fact that there is considerable 
pasty or doughy substance in it, it must be fed in limited amounts, or 
it will cause impaction of the manifold. It can be used to advantage in 
balancing a ration which is narrow and needs to be widened. 

This is classed as a heavy feed and is low in ash. 

15 



WHEAT BRAN AND MIDDLINGS 

Bran and middlings are so well known and so much used that little 
need be said of them. They differ in that bran is a light feed and is 
used to advantage with heavy feeds, whereas the middlings are classed 
as heavy. 

Bran is laxative and cooling and rich in ash, one of the best feeds 
for young and growing stock. 

Care must be used in feeding wheat midds, as they have a tendency 
to pack if fed to excess. 

We do not care to feed more than 2^^ to 3 lbs. to a thousand-pound 
cow, the former preferably. 

Wheat midds, are fairly rich in ash, but not nearly so much so as 
bran. 

BREWERS' WET GRAINS 

When fed in reasonable amounts and while fresh, wet grains, with 
hay and other grains, are milk makers and safe. 

If, however, they are fed when partially rotted, the juice from 
them produces very objectionable odors from anything into which it 
may soak. 

They are rich in protein and low in carbohydrates and conse- 
quently narrow. 

To a certain extent they take the place of a succulent. 

We have fed as much as 4 lbs. per cow per day with bulky grains, 
and with plenty of roughage, with good results. 

When fed to excess or as the only grain, they make so much blood 
that they wear out the cow or cause udder trouble. 

They are laxative and if a fair quantity is fed but little bran or lin- 
seed should be fed with them. They are deficient in ash. 

DISTILLERS' DRIED GRAINS 

These are light and bulky, resembling bran in the latter respect; 
are very high in protein, low in carbs. and rich in fat. 

They have a feeding value double that of bran ; are not so heating 
as cottonseed or gluten feed ; and not apt to give udder trouble. 

Three and a half to four pounds can safely be fed a thousand-pound 
cow a day. We prefer them to gluten feed, malt sprouts or brewers' 
dried grains as a concentrate, and they are great milk makers. Like all 
the by-products of corn, they lack ash. 

There are two kinds of these grains, those made from rye and those 
made from corn. The former are not to be compared in feeding value 
with those from corn, which are usually marketed under some trade 
name such as "Ajax F[akes," "A B C Grains," "Four Ex-Grains," "Three 
D Grains," "Continental Gluten Feed," etc. 

Feeders not familiar with these grains should be sure they are 
getting those made from corn when they buy, as they are generally from 
$7.00 to $9.00 per ton higher in price than the rye grains. 

16 



With the possible, exception of linseed oil meal, we consider dis- 
tillers' dried grains made from corn the safest of all the heavy concen- 
trated feeds. 

GLUTEN FEED 

Gluten Feed, which is made of gluten meal and corn bran ground 
together, is another valuable concentrate when fed in moderation. 

It is classed as a heavy feed. 

While this feed nearly equals distillers' dried grain in protein, it 
does not have anything like the same fat. It should be fed with some 
light or cooling feed like bran or ground oats ; because unless the 
amount is limited or the mixture is properly combined, the udders may 
be injured. 

We do not advise feeding more than from 2}^ lbs. to 3 lbs. per day 
to a thousand-pound cow, and prefer the former amount. 

LINSEED OIL MEAL 

Next to cottonseed meal, linseed meal supplies a pQund of protein 
at the least cost of any grain feed. The old process meal is the kind 
that is generally used. It differs from the new process by having the 
oil pressed out, while the new process meal has it extracted by ether. 
In this chapter we have reference solely to old process meal. 

This meal is a splendid fitter and tends to make the coat glossy 
and the skin pliable and unctuous to the touch. It is laxative, is not 
heating, and seems especially beneficial when fed with alfalfa hay, not 
more than 1^^ lbs. to 2 lbs. to a thousand pound cow; and where bran, 
corn silage, roots or beet pulp are fed, care must be exercised to see 
that the bowels are not loosened too much. 

Apart from its nutritive value, linseed has a most beneficial effect 
on the health of the cows. 

A little should be fed for at least three weeks to all cows and heifers 
coming in, as when this is done they seldom retain the afterbirth. 

COTTONSEED MEAL 

Cottonseed meal gives a pound of protein at the least cost of all 
grains, at prices usually prevailing. 

Unlike linseed, cottonseed is both heavy, heating- and constipating. 
It must always be fed with a light feed and is indicated where bran and 
considerable succulence is already part of the ration. 

It is a great milk maker and also a great blood maker. 

Not more than 2 lbs. a day should be fed to a thousand pound cow; 
and none should be fed to calves. 

The opinion prevailed and is still held by some, that cottonseed 
meal tended to produce abortion. This is wholly erroneous. The meal 
made from seed cannot do so ; but the extract from the root will. 

17 



PREPARED OR COMMERCIAL FEEDS 

Some years ago it was very fashionable at some of the Experiment 
Stations to speak disparagingly of prepared or commercial feeds. No 
doubt in some cases there was good cause; but of later years vast im- 
provements have been made in the manufacture of all these feeds, until 
to-day they occupy a legitimate place in the economy of cattle feeding. 

Stringent laws have been passed by the Legislatures of nearly all 
States, amply protecting the purchaser who buys prepared feeds, and 
showing him exactly what he is getting. That there is merit in them is 
demonstrated by the fact that notwithstanding all the tirades that were 
in many cases unjustly indulged in against them, they are being fed in 
ever increasing quantities. 

While we prefer to mix our own grain rations, rather than to buy 
or use prepared feeds, many feeders never could compound for them- 
selves as well balanced or as economical rations as they can buy al- 
ready prepared. When, however, any manufacturer advertises as a fact 
that his ration is a balanced one, intimating that it can be so balanced 
with all roughages, he is making a mis-statement ; because there is no 
ration of which the same quantity will balance with all roughages. 

It is a fortunate thing for dairymen that these prepared feeds can 
be purchased. They have unquestionably had a tendency to keep down 
the cost of all standard grains and have utilized to advantage many 
of the by products which formerly went to waste. High as the prices 
of standard grains are to-day, they would have been still higher but for 
the competition of prepared or commercial feeds. 

Prepared feeds have come to say. Those honestly made have a 
legitimate place in the economical feeding of dairy cows. It stands 
to reason that where such enormous amounts of the various grains 
are bought by the manufacturers as are used in making commercial 
feeds, they can buy much cheaper than single purchasers; yet I have 
never failed to be able to make a ration from standard grains and feeds 
containing equal nutrients and as well balanced as any prepared feed, 
at less cost. In the appendix to this booklet will be found a list of 
prepared or commercial feeds I have tried out, of which I approve and 
can recommend. The statements of their merits are the statements of 
the makers, made to me over their own signatures. 



MOLASSES AND MOLASSES FEEDS 

The use of molasses and molasses feeds as an economical factor in 
the ration of the dairy cow has grown to an astonishing extent in the 
past five years, and continues to grow as their merits become better 
understood. 

It is not difficult to find a reason for this. We have seen what a 
large part palatability has in the proper digestion and assimilation of 
the feed the dairy cow takes ; and that the more she will take, digest, 
assimilate and return a profit on, the more valuable she is as a producer. 
Not cows alone, but all animals and most birds love sweets. Certainly 
it has been proven beyond any shadow of doubt that molasses by it- 

18 



self or in prepared feeds will tempt the cow to eat hay or fodder which 
she would otherwise refuse. What the chemist tells us as to the nutri- 
tive qualities of this sweet is not to be taken as a final dictum as to its 
value as a feed in the dairy, any more than what he tells us as to the 
value of beet pulp or roots can measure their use. We must be guided 
by what the cow tells us; and that is, in the case of molasses or molasses 
feeds, that she likes them, they are milk makers, and keep her in good 
condition. No cow can do her best work unless she is in perfect health. 
Molasses and molasses feeds contribute to that end. 

Longer than the memory of the writer runs, and that is many years, 
molasses or sugar has been used in the fattening of steers. 

For a long period of time molasses in various forms has been fed 
horses in Europe, replacing an equal weight of grain. M. Lavalard, 
veterinary surgeon to the Paris General Omnibus Co., which J^eeps 
15,000 horses, gives a most interesting account of the feeding of a 
molasses feed composed of from 80% to 86% of molasses. He says : 

"Gradually the whole of the company's horses, 15,000 in number, 
were getting two to four pounds. There has been a surprising decrease 
in the number of cases of colic, and since its use there has not been 
a single one of diarrhoea." Later the molasses feed was raised to six 
pounds a day. He further remarks : "It was most striking, the way 
in which the whole of the food was picked up, the mangers being quite 
cleared out, which under the former system seldom happened." 

There seems to be a prejudice against a free use of molasses or 
molasses feeds on the part of some who do not know from practical 
experience the benefits following their use for the dairy cow. These 
people believe that diarrhoea follows their use and that even the milk 
will cause this trouble in children, which is erroneous. If molasses 
made from sugar beets is used in the preparation of these feeds, there 
might be some reason for this belief; because it is well known that this 
contains a large amount of potash salts which exert a strong purgative 
action on animals ; but the molasses feeds and the molasses usually 
sold for dairy cattle are made from cane. It is cane molasses or "black- 
strap." According to Dr. Chas. A. Brown, formerly chemist of the 
Sugar Experiment Station of the Louisiana Agricultural College, "cane 
molasses as compared with the beet contains 25% more of sugars." 
Bulletin No. 115 of this college shows that a large number of horses 
were fed heavily and continuously on cane molasses, and there was "a 
marked diminution in the number of cases of dietetic ailments such as 
colic, etc., and the health, and, therefore, the capacity of the animals 
for work, being very much improved, all of which should certainly 
be taken into consideration when estimating results from the standpoint 
of economy." 

The fact that molasses and molasses feeds are fed whole herds of 
dairy cows year in and year out with no ill efifects on the bowels of the 
animals, and with benefit to their health, is sufficient refutation of this 
mistaken idea that milk from molasses-fed cows will injure infants be- 
cause it has a too laxative effect on the cattle. As a matter of fact it 
aids in the digestion of other feeds. 

19 



The following statement from the Miner Laboratories, on the fer- 
tilizing value of molasses feeds, is both interesting and timely: 

"Molasses feeds, owing to the fact that most of them contain concen- 
trates in addition to the molasses itself, carry considerably larger per- 
centages of fertilizer ingredients than do the natural grains. The fol- 
lowing shows the percentages of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash in 
a standard molasses feed compared with oats, corn and wheat. 

"Corn has 1.7% nitrogen; wheat, 1.9%; oats, 1.8%, and Sucrene 
Dairy Feed, 2.94%. Corn has .71% phosphoric acid; wheat, .55%; 
oats, .78%, and Sucrene Dairy Feed, 1.02%. Corn has .57% potash; 
wheat, .87%; oats, .48%, and Sucrene Dairy Feed, 1.65%." 

CALF RAISING 

In raising calves, some like to leave the calf with the cow or with- 
in her sight for from two to four days, while others prefer to take it 
away as soon as born and do not allow it to suck the cow at all. Those 
who adopt the latter plan claim the cows fret less and the calf will 
learn to drink milk more readily. 

Under any circumstances the calf must have its mother's colostral 
milk to cleanse its digestive tracts. 

When the calf is allowed to remain with the cow, have a small 
pen, boarded off in the corner of the box stall with a swinging gate, and 
keep the calf in it for three to four days, always in the mother's sight, 
thus keeping her from fretting until all fear of milk fever is past. The 
calf can be readily let out to its mother. 

If the calf sucks the cow, it is important that it should not be al- 
lowed to gorge itself at any time. The greatest fear in calf raising is 
over-feeding. Little and often is a good rule. 

When teaching the calf to drink from a pail let it go without any- 
thing for twenty-four hours so it will be hungry; but care should be 
taken that it is not allowed to gorge itself. 

About 7 to 9 lbs. a day in three feeds is ample for a Guernsey or 
Jersey calf, and for a larger breed from 9 to 11 lbs. a day for the first 
week. 

The calf should have the mother's milk for at least one week. 

After that, it need not be its own dam's milk. 

When fed by hand the milk must always be at blood heat, from 95 
to 100 degrees Fahr., and must always be fed in a clean pail. A tin 
pail is preferable, as wood is hard to keep sweet and clean. All foreign 
substances such as kairs, flies, etc., must be kept out of the milk, and 
it is best to strain it before feeding the calf. 

The third week, if the calf is thriving, the change to part skim milk 
may begiji. 

20 



This change must be gradual, say about one pint per day being 
substituted for whole milk. Calves of the average size should get about 
12 lbs. a day when the change begins, so that the following would be 
about the respective quantities: 

Whole Milk Skim Milk 

LBS. LBS. 

First Day 11 1 

Second Day 10 2 

Third Day 9 3 

Fourth Day 8 4 

Fifth Day 7 5 

Sixth Day 6 6 

Seventh Day 5 7 

Eighth Day 4 8 

Ninth Day 3 9 

Tenth Day 2 10 

Eleventh Day 1 11 

Twelfth Day 12 

Skim milk must also be fed at blood heat. 

NEVER JUDGE THE TEMPERATURE OF THE MILK BY 
THE FINGER— USE A DAIRY THERMOMETER which costs but 
a trifle. Using the finger is absolutely misleading. 

When the calf is about six weeks of age a gradual change to cold 
milk can be made. While it is generally advisable to keep calves partly 
on skim milk until three to four months old, they can, according to the 
Illinois Experiment Station, be put on grain successfully at the end of 
two months. 

A wisp of hay, preferably clover or alfalfa, should be in front of 
the calves always, after they are two weeks old, suspended a little 
higher than their heads so that they will, in beginning to play with it, 
nibble the hay. It is surprising to see how quickly they will learn to 
eat the hay. Grain, consisting of crushed oats and bran in equal parts, 
and about a tablespoonful of linseed oil meal to one quart of the mixed 
feed, should be before the calves at all times. As they will put their 
muzzles while still wet with milk into this grain, the latter must be 
constantly changed to keep it from souring. 

It is a good practice to have a little bonemeal, charcoal and salt 
where the calf can get it at all times; the charcoal to act as an aid to 
digestion and a purifier, and the bonemeal and salt to give ash. 

It is advisable to have small stanchions in which to feed the calves 
while they are getting their milk, either whole or skimmed, and to leave 
them in the stanchions for a time after they have finished their milk, 
as they are apt to suck each other's ears or teats after taking the milk. 

If they have access to grain in a box, after they have taken their 
milk, they are not so likely to suck each other. 

NEVER MAKE ANY ABRUPT CHANGE IN FEEDING CALVES 

The essentials for successful calf raising are : bright quarters, with 
plenty of sunlight reaching every part of the pens ; plenty of clean bed- 
ding; milk fed at blood temperature each time; frequent feeding and 
not too much at once ; clean utensils and milk free from all foreign 
matter. 

21 



If calves are turned into pasture at the end of six months it will be 
best to supplement the pasture by some grain feed. 

We do not believe calves can be raised on calf meal wholly, after 
the mother's milk is fit for consumption; but there is no question that 
by the use of calf meals, the amount of milk needed for the calf can be 
materially reduced. 



TABLE OF DIGESTIBLE NUTRIENTS 

SOILING FODDERS. 



Kind and Amount of Feed 

LBS. 

Fodder corn 1 

15 
Peas and oats 1 

15 
Peas and barley 1 

15 
Red clover 1 

15 
Alfalfa 1 

15 
Hungarian grass 1 

15 
Alsike clover 1 

15 
Millet 10 

15 
Crimson clover 1 

15 
Cowpea 1 

15 
Soy bean 1 

15 
Rye in head 1 

15 
Green sorghum 10 

15 
Pasture grass 1 

15 
Corn silage 1 

15 

20 

25 

30 
Pea vine silage 1 

15 

20 

25 

30 







Total 




Dry Matter 


Protein 


Carbohydrates 


E 


LBS. 


LBS. 


LBS. 




.20 


.010 


.125 




3.00 


.150 


.875 




.16 


.018 


.076 




2.40 


.270 


1.140 




.16 


.017 


.077 




2.40 


.255 


1.155 




.29 


.029 


.164 




4.35 


.435 


2.460 




.28 


.039 


.138 




4.20 


.585 


2.070 




.29 


.020 


.169 




4.35 


.300 


2.535 




.25 


.026 


.125 




3.75 


.390 


1.875 




1.1980 


.080 


1.230 




2.970 


.120 


1.845 




.19 


.024 


.122 




2.85 


.360 


1.530 




.16 


.018 


.092 




2.40 


.270 


1.380 




.25 


.031 


1.121 




3.75 


.465 


1.815 




.23 


.021 


.150 




3.45 


.310 


2.250 




2.060 


.060 


1.290 




3.090 


.090 


1.935 




.20 


.023 


.157 




3.00 


.345 


1.355 




.21 


.009 


.129 




3.15 


.135 


1.935 




4.20 


.180 


2.580 




5.25 


.225 


3.225 




6.30 


.270 


3.870 




.232 


.021 


.170 




3.480 


.315 


2.550 




4.640 


.420 


3.400 




5.800 


.525 


4.250 




6.960 


.630 


5.100 





Ratio 



Timothy hay 



Mixed grasses and clover. 
Oat and pea hay 



DRY FODDERS. 



10 


8.70 


.280 


4.650 




15 


13.05 


.420 


6.975 




10 


8.70 


.620 


4.600 




15 


13.03 


.930 


6.900 




10 


8.90 


.760 


4.487 




15 


13.35 


1.040 


6.730 





22 



Kind and Amount of Feed 

LBS. 

Red clover hay 10 

15 

Alsike clover hay 10 

15 

Crimson clover hay 10 

15 

Cowpea hay 10 

15 

Soy bean hay 10 

15 

Alfalfa hay 10 

15 

Corn fodder 5 

10 
IS 

Corn stover 5 

10 
15 

Oat straw 5 

10 
15 

Wheat straw 5 

10 
15 



Dry Matter Protein 



LBS. 

8.50 

12.75 
9.00 

13.50 
9.04 

13.56 
8.95 

13.42 
8.82 

13.23 
9.20 

13.80 
2.90 
5.80 
8.70 
3.00 
6.00 
9.00 
4.54 
9.08 

13.62 
4.50 
9.00 

13.50 



LBS. 

.680 

1.020 

.840 

1.260 

1.050 

1.575 

1.000 

1.500 

1.060 

1.590 

1.100 

1.650 

,125 

.250 

.375 

.085 

.170 

.255 

.065 

.130 

.195 

.020 

.040 

.060 



ROOTS, TUBERS, ETC. 



Potatoes 



Cabbage 



5 

15 
20 

5 

15 

Apples 5 

15 
20 

Dried beet pulp 1 

2 
3 

Mangels 5 

15 
20 

Sugar beets 5 

15 
20 

Carrots 5 

15 
20 

Flat turnip 5 

15 
20 

Rutabagas 5 

15 
20 



1.05 
3.15 
4.20 

.75 
2.25 

.95 
2.85 
3.90 

.92 
1.84 
2.76 

.45 
1.35 
1.80 

.65 
1.95 
2.60 

.55 
1.65 
2.20 

.50 

1.50 

2.00 

.570 

1.710 

2.280 



.045 
.135 
.180 
.090 
.070 
.035 
.105 
.140 
.041 
.082 
.123 
.055 
.165 
.220 
.055 
.165 
.220 
.040 
.120 
.160 
.050 
.150 
.200 
.050 
.200 
.250 



Peanut cake 

Cottonseed meal . . . 
Chicago gluten meal 
Linseed meal, O. P. 
Linseed meal, N. P. 

Soy bean meal 

Distillers' dry grains 



CONCENTRATES. 

.89 .428 

.92 .372 

.88 .322 

.91 .293 

.90 .282 

.88 .291 

.92 .248 



Total 
Carbohydrates 

LBS. 

3.960 
5.940 
4.220 
6.330 
3.760 
5.640 
4.220 
6.330 
4.360 
6.540 
4.230 
6.345 
1.865 
3.730 
5.595 
1.700 
3.400 
5.100 
2.065 
4.130 
6.195 
1.860 
3.720 
5.580 



.825 
2.475 
3.300 

.445 
1.365 

.940 
2.820 
3.760 

.649 
1.298 
1.947 

.280 

.840 
1.120 

.520 
1.560 
2.080 

.410 
1.230 
1.640 

.385 
1.155 
1.540 

.480 
1.440 
1.920 



.366 
.444 
.468 
.485 
.464 
.561 
.552 



Ratio 

1:5.8 

1:5.8 

1:5.6 

1:5.6 

1:3.5 

1:3.5 

1:4.2 

1:4.2 

1:4.1 

1:4.1 

1:3.8 

1:3.8 

1:14.9 

1:14.9 

1:14.9 

1:19.9 

1:19.9 

1:19.9 

1:31.7 

1:31.7 

1:31.7 

1 :93.0 

1 :93.0 

1:93.0 



1:18.3 

1:18.3 

1:18.3 

1:5.1 

1:5.1 

1 :26.8 

1 :26.8 

1 :26.8 

1:15.8 

1:15.8 

1:15.8 

1:5.1 

1:5.1 

1:5.1 

1:9.4 

1:9.4 

1:9.4 

1:10.3 

1:10.3 

1:10.3 

1:7.7 

1:7.7 

1:7.7 

1:8.6 

1:8.6 

1:8.6 



1:1.2 
1:1.5 
1:1.7 
1:1.6 
1:1.9 
1:2.2 



23 



Kind and Amount of Feed 



Buffalo gluten feed . 

Culled beans 

Buckwheat mids. . . 

Malt sprouts 

Peas 

Brewers' dry grains 

Red Dog flour 

Wheat mids 

Wheat bran 

Rye bran 

Wheat 

Rye 

Oats 

Barley 

Low grade flour . . . 

Corn 

Hominy chop 

Buckweat bran 

Corn and cob meal . 
Brewers' wet grains 



Sugar molasses 
Skim milk .... 
Buttermilk .... 







Total 




Dry Matter 


Protein 


Carbohydrates 


Ratio 


3S. LBS. 


LBS. 


LBS. 




1 .90 


.232 


.699 


1:3.0 


1 .86 


.226 


.759 


1:2.4 


1 .87 


.220 


.456 


1:2.1 


1 .90 


.186 


.409 


1:2.2 


1 .90 


.168 


.534 


1:3.2 


1 .92 


.157 


.478 


1:3.0 


1 .90 


.135 


.658 


1:4.9 


1 .88 


.128 


.607 


1:4.7 


1 .88 


.122 


.453 


1:3.7 


1 .88 


.115 


.548 


1:4.8 


1 .90 


.102 


.730 


1:7.2 


1 .88 


.099 


.700 


1:7.1 


1 .89 


.092 


.568 


1:6.2 


1 .89 


.087 


.692 


1:7.9 


1 .88 


.082 


.647 


1:7.9 


1 .89 


.079 


.764 


1:9.7 


1 .89 


.075 


.705 


1:9.4 


1 .90 


.074 


.347 


1:4.7 


1 .85 


.044 


.665 


1:15.1 


1 .24 


.039 


.125 


1:3.2. 


SUNDRIES. 








.74 


.014 


.606 


1:4.4 


1 .09 


.029 


.059 


1:2.0 


1 .10 


.039 


.065 


1:1.7 



COST OF PROTEIN 

A great many feeders labor under the impression that those grains 
or feeds which cost the least per ton are the cheapest. This is a mis- 
take. We usually feed them to supply the protein lacking in home- 
grown grains, which latter generally give a surplus of carbohydrates 
and are deficient in protein. 

When protein is needed we should select those feeds or grains giv- 
ing a pound of that element at the least cost, due regard being had to 
their being right ones to combine with those home grown ; that is, if the 
rations from home grown grains contain heavy feeds, we should select 
light ones, or if light feeds, we should select heavy ones. 

The following table^ is given as showing the cost per pound of 
digestible protein in those grains or feeds usually fed on the farm. The 
prices are the average in an Eastern state for 1913, and the amount of 
digestible protein in each ton is as set out in Bulletin 154, Cornell 
University, where it gives them, or from Henry on "Feeds and Feed- 
ing": 

TABLE A. 

Protein in Cost per Cost per 

Grain or Feed Each Ton Ton lb. Protein 

LBS. 

Corn meal 158 $26.90 $.170 

Hominy chop 150 26.04 .173 

Grd. oats 184 26.89 .146 

Barley feed 174 25.36 .145 

Rye 199 26.06 .131 

Red dog flour 270 29.74 .110 



24 



$21.38 


$.381 


17.09 


.137 


18.00 


.132 


25.00 


.113 



Protein in Cost per Cost per 

Grain or Feed Each Ton Ton lb. Protein 

LBS. 

Wheat midds 256 25.87 .101 

Wheat bran 244 23.49 .096 

Brewers' wet grains 314 *23.00 .073 

Distiller's dry grains 496 30.64 .061 

Gluten feed 464 27.51 .059 

Malt sprouts 372 20.99 .056 

Buck midds 440 25.00 .056 

Linseed meal 586 31.05 .053 

Cotton seed meal 744 31.49 .042 

♦Estimated. 

These figures prove that those grains or feeds containing the most 
protein cost the most per ton ; but they also give a pound of protein at 
the lowest cost. Malt sprouts are the exception. There is a large supply 
of them and comparatively little demand. 

HAYS. 

Timothy 56 

Mixed grasses and clover 124 

Clover 136 

Alfalfa 220 

Soy bean 212 

Crimson clover 210 

Cowpea 184 

Alsike clover 168 

Oat and pea 152 

Oat hay 94 

STRAWS. 

Soy bean 46 

Oat 26 

Wheat 16 

Corn fodder 50 

Corn stover 34 

*Where prices vary a great deal they are not given. They can readily be 
found by dividing the cost per ton by the number of pounds of protein in the ton. 

Following are rations showing the cost per pound of protein with 
various combinations of grains and roughages. 



WITH TIMOTHY HAY 

This example is given mxcrely to show how expensive is any ration 
with timothy as roughage. It is not commended, as timothy is no fit 
food for a dairy cow. 

Dry Matter Protein Carbs Cost 

lbs. lbs. lbs. 

13 lbs. timothy 11.31 .364 6.445 $.1389 

30 " corn silage 6.30 .270 3.870 .0525 

2 " wheat bran 1.76 .244 .906 .0234 

3 " distillers' dry grains 2.76 .744 1.656 .0459 

VA " cotton seed meal 1.61 .650 .777 .0275 

3/4 " linseed meal 68 .220 .364 .0116 

7y2 Ratio 1:5.6 24.42 2.492 14.018 .2998 

Cost of 1 lb. of protein, $.1248. 

25 



Feed 1 lb. of grain mixture to every 3 or 4 lbs. milk, according to 
the fat per cent. It was necessary to use grains extremely rich in pro- 
tein and high in cost per ton to reduce the ratio from 1 :16.2 in the rough- 
age, to 1 :5.6. 

If any cow becomes thin on this, or any other ration where corn 
is not used, feed from j^ to 1 lb. of corn meal, or hominy, per day, re- 
gardless of whether it unbalances the ration, or not. The fact that she 
becomes thin shows that she needs more carbonaceous food for main- 
tenance. 

MIXED HAY AND CORN SILAGE. 

Dry Matter Protein Carbs Cost 

lbs. lbs. lbs. 

12 lbs. mixed hay 10.44 .744 5.520 .1025 

30 " corn silage 6.30 .270 3.870 .0525 

(Ratio 1:9.1) 16.74 1.014 9.390 .1550 

3 lbs. wheat bran 2.64 .366 1.359 .0352 

2 " distillers' dry grains 1.84 .496 1.164 .0306 

V/z" corn meal 1.35 .118 1.046 .0202 

14" linseed oil meal O. P 46 .146 .242 .0078 

1 " cotton seed meal 92 .372 .382 .0157 

(Ratio 1:5.4) 23.95 2.512 13.583 .2645 

Cost of 1 lb. of protein $.105. 

Feed 1 lb. grain to every 3 lbs. to 4 lbs. milk, according to the fat 
percentage. This is a cheap ration, but with the exception of corn meal 
everything must be bought from the dealer. 



ALFALFA AND CORN SILAGE. 

Dry Matter Protein Carbs Cost 

lbs. lbs. lbs. 

10 lbs. alfalfa hay 9.20 1.100 4.230 $.1250 

35 lbs. corn silage 7.35 .315 4.515 .0612 

(Ratio 1:6.1) 16.55 1.415 8.745 .1862 

2 lbs. corn meal 1.73 .158 1.528 .0269 

2 lbs. gluten feed 1.80 .464 1.398 .0275 

2y2 lbs. wheat midds 2.20 .320 1.517 .0323 

Vz lb. ground oats 45 .043 .284 .0067 

Vi lbs. linseed oil meal 44 .146 .242 .0078 

(Ratio 1:5.4) 23.17 2.546 13.714 .2874 

Cost of 1 lb. of protein, $.113. 

Feed 1 lb. grain to every 3>4 lbs. to 4^ lbs. milk, according to fat 
percentage. While this ration costs more per pound of protein than 
ration No. 2, such increased cost is due wholly to the high price of 
alfalfa hay. If the farmer grows his own alfalfa, as he should, the cost 
will be less, so far as grain is concerned, than in ration No. 2. 



26 



ALFALFA HAY, CORN STOVER AND CORN SILAGE. 

Dry Matter Protein Carbs Cost 
lbs. lbs. lbs. 

8 lbs. alfalfa hay 7.36 .880 3.384 $.1000 

8 lbs stover 4.80 .136 2.720 .0240 

30 lbs. corn silage 6.30 .270 3.870 .0525 

(Ratio 1:8.4) 18.46 1.286 9.974 .1765 

3 lbs. distillers' dry grains 2.76 .744 1.656 .0134 

2 " wheat bran 1.76 .244 .906 .0235 

1 " corn meal 89 .079 .764 .0459 

^ '• linseed oil meal (O. P.) 66 .216 .362 .0117 

(Ratio 1:5.5) .24.53 2.569 13.662 $.2710 

Cost of 1 lb. of protein, $.105. 

Feed 1 lb. of grain to every 3>4 to 4>^ lbs. milk, according to fat 
percentage. This is another cheap ration, one reason being that stover 
is used, reducing the amount of alfalfa hay needed. 

PRINCIPALLY FARM GROWN CROPS 

MIXED HAY AND CORN SILAGE. 

Dry Matter Protein Carbs Cost 
lbs. lbs. lbs. 

12 lbs. mixed hay 10.44 .744 5.520 $.1025 

30 " corn silage 6.30 .270 3.870 .0525 

(Ratio 1:9.1) 16.74 1.014 9.390 .1550 

3 lbs. ground oats 2.67 .276 1.704 .0403 

3 " buck midds 2.61 .660 1.369 .0127 

1 " barley chop 89 .087 .692 .0375 

^ " linseed oil meal 68 .220 .584 .0116 

54" cotton seed meal 69 .279 .333 .0118 

(Ratio 1:5.5) 24.28 2.536 14.072 .2689 

Cost of 1 lb. of protein, $.106. 

Feed 1 lb. grain to every 3 lbs. to 4 lbs. milk, according to the per- 
centage of fat. It will be noted that the total expenditure for grains 
that cannot be grov^^n on the farm is 2.34c. ; the cost of a pound of pro- 
tein is low, it is a well balanced ration, yet gives succulence, palatability 
and variety. 

PRINCIPALLY FARM GROWN CROPS 

CLOVER HAY AND CORN SILAGE. 

Dry Matter Protein Carbs Cost 
LBS. lbs. lbs. 

12 lbs. clover hay 10.20 .816 4.782 $.1080 

30 " corn silage 6.30 .270 3.870 .0525 

(Ratio 1:7.9) 16.50 1.086 8.652 .1605 

3 lbs. buck midds 2.61 .660 1.368 .0375 

3 " ground oats 2.67 .276 1.704 .0403 

1 " corn meal 89 .079 .746 .0134 

1 " barley chop 89 .087 .692 .0127 

H " linseed meal (O. P.) 45 .146 .242 .0078 

yi " cotton seed meal 46 .186 .222 -0079 

(Ratio 1:5.4) .24.47 2.520 13.626 .2801 

Cost of 1 lb. of protein, $.111. 

27 



Feed 1 lb. grain to every 3 lbs. to 4 lbs. milk, according to the fat 
percentage. This ration is slightly more expensive than No. 5, due to 
the fact that 12 lbs. clover hay costs more than the mixed hay in the 
latter, and we have used more home grown grains and less bought feed, 
the latter amounting to but 1.57 cents. 

ENTIRELY FARM GROWN CROPS 

ALFALFA HAY AND CORN SILAGE. 

Dry Matter Protein Carbs Cost 

lbs. lbs. lbs. 

12 lbs. alfalfa hay 11.04 1.320 5.076 $.1500 

30 " corn silage 6.30 .270 3.870 .0525 

(Ratio 1:5.6) 17.34 1.590 8.946 .2025 

4 lbs. ground oats 3.56 .368 2.272 .0269 

2 " corn meal 1.78 .158 1.528 .0250 

2 " buck midds 1.74 .440 .912 .0538 

(Ratio 1:5.4) 24.42 2.556 13.658 .3082 

Cost of 1 lb. of protein, $.12. 

Feed 1 lb. of grain to 3 to 4 lbs. milk, according to percentage of 
fat. If droppings of cows are inclined to be hard, add a small quantity 
of molasses, about 1 pint per day, diluted with hot water, provided it 
does not cost more than fourteen cents a gallon. 

IDEAL RATION FROM FARM GROWN CROPS ENTIRELY 

ALFALFA HAY, CORN SILAGE AND SOY BEAN MEAL. 

Dry Matter Protein Carbs Cost 

lbs. lbs. lbs. 

10 lbs. alfalfa hay 9.20 1.100 4.230 $.1250 

35 " corn silage 7.35 .315 4.515 .0612 

(Ratio 1:6.1) 16.55 1.415 8.745 .1862 

3 lbs. ground oats 2.67 .276 1.704 .0403 

1 " barley chop 89 .087 .692 .0269 

2 " corn meal 1.78 .158 1.528 .0126 

2 " soy bean meal 1.76 .581 1.122 .0350 

(Ratio 1:5.5) 23.65 2.517 13.791 .3010 

Cost of 1 lb. of protein, $.119. 

Feed 1 lb. of grain to each 3 to 4 lbs. milk, according to the per- 
centage of fat. 

This is an ideal ration made entirely from crops that can be grown 
on most eastern farms. It is ideal because it furnishes the correct 
amount of dry matter, protein and carbohydrates in correct propor- 
tions and consequently is properly balanced ; two-thirds of the dry mat- 
ter is supplied by the roughage. It has variety and succulence and con- 
sequently is palatable. It has both light and heavy grains, thereby add- 
ing to digestibility. The heating grains are offset by cooling ones. If 
there is no barley available, use 4 lbs. of oats in place of 3 lbs. If no 
oats can be grown, use 4 lbs. of barley in place of 3 lbs. of oats and 1 lb. 
of barley. 

28 



ANOTHER ENTIRELY FARM GROWN RATION 

MIXED HAY, SILAGE AND SOY BEAN MEAL. 

Dry Matter Protein Carbs Cost 
lbs. lbs. lbs. 

12 lbs. mixed hay 10.44 .744 5.520 $.1025 

30 " corn silage 6.30 .270 3.870 .0525 

(Ratio 1:9.2) 16.74 1.014 9.390 .1550 

4 lbs. ground oats 3.56 .368 2.272 .0538 

1 " barley chop 89 .087 .692 .0126 

3H" soy bean meal 3.08 1.018 1.863 .0612 

(Ratio 1:5.8) 24.27 2.487 14.217 .2826 

Cost of 1 lb. of protein, $.113. 

Feed 1 lb. of grain to every 3^ to 4 lbs. milk, according to the per- 
centage of fat. 

While this is not quite so well balanced a ration as No. 8 and has 

a trifle too much carbohydrates compared with protein (is too wide) 
for a Guernsey or a Jersey, it is well adapted to cows of other breeds. 

USING OAT STRAW, MIXED HAY AND CORN SILAGE. 

Dry Matter Protein Carbs 

lbs. lbs. lbs. 

7 lbs. mixed hay 6.00 .434 3.220 

7 " oat straw 6.31 .084 2.828 

25 " corn silage 5.25 .225 3.225 

(Ratio 1:11.1) 17.56 .743 9.273 

3 lbs. wheat bran 2.64 .366 1.359 

3 " gluten feed 2.70 .696 2.097 

1 J/$ " cotton seed meal 1 .38 .558 .666 

1 " dry brewers' grains 92 .159 .478 

(Ratio 1:5.5) 25.20 2.520 13.873 

Feed 1 lb. of grain to each 3 to 4 lbs of milk according to the percentage 
of fat. 

Note that the roughage in Ration Nos. 2, 5 and 9, when mixed 

hay and silage are used, each furnish 1.014 lbs. of protein, 9.390 lbs. of 

carbohydrates and that the ratio is 1 :9.1. Where the oat straw is used 

the ration gives but .743 lbs. of protein, and the ratio is 1:11.1. While 
not much more grain is used in this ration, it costs more per pound, due 

to its higher protein content. We cannot give the total cost on ac- 
count of the varying cost of oat straw. 

WITH ROOTS, TURNIPS, MANGELS, SUGAR BEETS. 

Dry Matter Protein Carbs Cost 

12 lbs. mixed hay 10.44 .744 5.520 $.1025 

60 " mangels 5.40 .660 3.360 .1800 

Ratio 1:6.3 15.84 1.404 8.880 .2825 

4 lbs. corn and cob meal 3.40 .176 2.660 .0320 

2 " gluten feed 1.80 .464 1.398 .0275 

1 " wheat midds 88 .128 .607 .0129 

1 " cotton seed 94 .372 .444 .0157 

Ratio 1:5.5 22.86 2.544 13.989 .3706 

Cost of 1 lb. protein, $.147. 

Feed 1 lb. grain to each three to four pounds of milk, according to the per 
cent, of fat. 

29 



If 60 lbs. of flat turnips are substituted for mangels, omit the corn 
and cob meal and the wheat middlings, and use in their stead 2 lbs. corn 
meal, increase the gluten feed to 3 lbs. and use 1 lb. cottonseed meal, so 
that the grain ration will be as follows : 3 lbs. gluten feed, 2 lbs. corn 
meal and 1 lb. cottonseed meal. 



WITH SUGAR BEETS 

If 60 lbs. sugar beets are fed in place of mangels, omit the corn and 
cob meal, gluten feed, and the wheat middlings in the mangel ration, 
and substitute 3 lbs. of Ajax for the gluten feed. The grain ration will 
then be : 3 lbs. Ajax and 1 lb. cottonseed meal. 

Use 12 lbs. of mixed hay for a thousand-pound cow with any of 
the above roots. 

Mangels are figured at $6.00 per ton, corn and cob meal at $16.00 
per ton to accord with average price of other grains in 1913. 

TO MAKE THE COW LIVE UP TO HER INHERITANCE 
IN PRODUCTION IT IS NECESSARY TO KEEP HER GROW- 
ING FROM THE TIME SHE IS BORN UNTIL SHE COMES 
INTO MILK. She should never be allowed to go back; if she does, it 
will be at the expense of future usefulness. 

There is no time in the life of a heifer when it is more important 
that she should be properly fed than the two months before she comes 
in and the thirty days afterward. 

In the two months before she becomes a mother, the unborn calf 
grows more than it does for any four months preceding. The material 
wherewith to make this growth must be given the mother through the 
feed. We have seen that ash is needed for the framework of the calf, 
and protein is the element from which the hair, hide and hoofs are made. 
The mother must also give the calf a great deal of blood at this time. 
Unless she is fed a surplus of protein over that she needs for her own 
maintenance, she will give the calf the material needed for these pur- 
poses if she can, taking it oflf of her own body, and thereby becoming 
thinner all the time. 

Just now the heifer has also to build up her own udder tissues ; and 
we have seen that protein is needed for tissue. We are firmly convinced 
that a heifer fed a surplus of protein for two months before she calves 
will not only produce a stronger and healthier calf, and be made capa- 
ble of giving more milk, but she will also build herself a larger udder 
than where she is stinted in protein. 

With the exception of the building of the udder, the same applies 
to dry cows; and it is just as necessary for the future production in 
the next lactation that dry cows should be fed a goodly amount of 
protein as that heifers should. 

Our experience is that ONE BAG OF FEED FED WHILE THE 
COW IS DRY IS WORTH TWO AFTER SHE COMES IN. 

Unless this system is adopted, the dry cow or the incoming heifer 
will take the protein from the lean meat on her back for the purposes 
as specified, and become constantly thinner. When she comes in, it 

30 



will therefore be needful to give her the milk-making feeds more 
rapidly than we believe desirable at this time. No cow can go through 
the act of parturition without all the digestive tracts being considerably 
unsettled. Her udder is extremely tender at that time, and if she is 
fed heating feeds, which are usually those rich in protein, she is much 
more likely to develop udder trouble than if she is fed cooling feeds for 
the ten days after she comes in. 

The whole object of this system of feeding, which we have found 
by experience will increase the production 20% at least over what a 
cow will give if she come in thin, is to put protein in the form of lean 
flesh on her body before she calves, so that she can draw on it to put 
the caseine (another protein) in her milk and obviate the necessity of 
feeding her rich protein feeds, which as stated, are generally heating. 
This is not a theory ; we have practiced it for many years and never 
failed to find it most effective in milk production. 

The following ration we have used very successfully for incom- 
ing heifers and calves; but any milk making ration that is being fed 
the herd can be used, provided there is a goodly quantity of bran in it 
as well as linseed oil meal. This milk making ration should be fed to 
within ten days of calving, when another ration consisting of equal 
amounts of ground oats and bran should be substituted for the milk 
making one, to which can be added one-half pound of linseed oil meal. 
A total of 5 lbs. to 7 lbs. per day of the combined ration, according to 
the size of the cow, may be fed up to calving. Feed also a slightly 
smaller quantity of corn silage than before she was dry, roots or dried 
beet pulp, and all the hay the cow will eat. Below is the ration we 
suggest : 

150 lbs. distillers' dried grains (from corn). 
100 " wheat bran. 
100 " ground oats. 

50 " linseed oil meal (O. P.). 

50 " cottonseed meal. 

50 " hominy chop or corn-and-cob meal, ground fine. 

Feed from 5 lbs. to 7 lbs. of the above grain ration, according to size 
of animal, to all dry cows or incoming heifers up to within ten days of 
due date ; all the mixed hay the animal will eat, and from 20 lbs. to 30 
lbs. (according to size) of silage or other succulent per day. If alfalfa 
or clover hay is used, decrease the distillers' dried grains to 100 lbs. and 
increase the corn meal to 75 lbs. 

The bran helps to keep the bowels in good condition and furnishes 
ash; the oats and bran are cooling; the linseed oil not only acts on the 
bowels favorably, but also prevents trouble with retention of the after- 
birth. 

Just before the cow calves, or immediately after, give her a drench 
of 1 lb. to 1^ lbs. Epsom salts, according to her size, 3 heaping table- 
spoons of ground ginger and 1 qt. molasses, all dissolved in hot water. 

For the first three days after the cow calves she should be fed no 
grain, but ground oats and wheat bran as a mash, hot, to which should 
be added about a handful per day of linseed oil meal. Continue the 
feeding of succulents and hay. She should have all the water she will 
drink, but it must be warm; and if she is given warm water for an- 

31 



other week afterward, it will aid materially in increasing the milk flow. 
If she is chilled by drinking very cold water, her milk flow is often 
checked, temporarily at least. 

Assuming that the cow or heifer has accumulated on her body lean 
flesh, the following is our system of feeding her to bring her to her full 
flow. 

When she begins to increase in her milk, say the fourth or fifth 
day, instead of feeding her any of the milk making ration we will use 
later on, we increase the bran and oat mixture, a total of Yz lb. per day 
only ; then 5^ lb. the next day, and ^ lb. thereafter every day as long 
as she responds to the increase by an increased flow. If on the con- 
trary, when you are increasing her feed daily she goes back, take 
off y2 lb. for a day or two and she will usually increase her milk again. 
When a cow has been in milk for some time and an increase of. feed is 
given her, and she goes down in her yield instead of increasing, by tak- 
ing off some of her feed you can often make her come up again. With 
very heavy milkers or cows with very large frames, it may be needful 
to make the daily increase of feed more than 5^ lb. Our whole object 
in increasing it so slowly is to avoid overtaxing the digestion, which 
will usually make her jump in her yield, then suddenly go down and 
never fully recover until she calves again. She has in reality had in- 
digestion. 

Continue increasing the ration through bran and oats, with lin- 
seed meal, until the end q| ten or fourteen days after the cow calves. 
Then begin to substitute the rich, or milk-making ration, using ^ lb. 
a day for a smaller cow and more for a larger one, for ^ lb. of the 
lighter ration ; and continue this method until she is entirely on the rich 
ration. If her flow of milk justifies an increase of feed any time dur- 
ing the process, let the added feed be from the light ration rather than 
from the rich one. 

By the time the cow is put on the rich ration she has wholly re- 
covered from her calving and all fear of udder trouble has probably 
passed ; consequently she will continue to increase from day to day 
until her maximum yield is reached. 

The cow is her own chemist and has made her milk with exactly 
the right proportions of protein, carbohydrates, fats and ash, even while 
we were feeding her lightly, by taking from the flesh she had stored up 
on her body the necessary elements which were given her in the feed 
while she was dry, and she will still be in good condition. Of course it 
is understood that the cow must be completely dried off before the 
ration for dry cows is fed her. All cows are better for having sixty 
days' rest. 

If the cow or heifer has not put on a surplus amount of lean flesh, 
it will be necessary to begin to substitute Yz lb. of the rich ration daily 
for a smaller cow and more for a larger cow earlier; say the fourth or 
fifth day after calving, because she has not the lean body flesh to draw 
upon. 

In feeding individual A. R. cows or where feeding entire com- 
mercial herds, we have made increased flows of from 20% to 50% on 
the average for the entire year. We are convinced that while a cer- 
tain amount of the increased milk production came from feeding a better 

32 



ration than the cows had been getting, a large proportion was secured 
through the above system of feeding before the cows came in and the 
first twenty-one to thirty days afterward. Our experience has always 
been that a cow brought to her milk slowly hangs to it more tenaciously 
than one that comes up quickly. 

At first sight this might appear an expensive process but in reality 
it is not. If the cow is very thin when she comes in, she must be fed 
heavily to get her up to her flow; and those feeds must be rich in 
protein, which are the most expensive of all. Apart from the extra 
profit of the increased milk flow induced by having the cow calve in 
good flesh, the actual cost of the extra feed given her when dry wil] 
not be much in excess of what is saved in the first twenty-one days 
after she calves, and you will have a better and longer flow besides. 

It might be thought that a cow calving in this good condition 
would be subject to udder trouble. She would if she was over-fat from 
corn or carbonaceous feeds. But our experience is that a cow with 
plenty of flesh — not fat — on her body, has less udder trouble than where 
she come in thin. The reason is that when she is in the latter condi- 
tion we begin to feed her rich feeds before her system is able to take 
care of them, and we fever her. 

Any good heavy milking cow is liable to have milk fever; but this 
has lost its terrors where a milk fever outfit is on hand and is prop- 
erly used. Every dairyman should have one. He must be careful to 
see that the instrument is thoroughly sterilized in boiling water before 
inserting in the teats, and it should never be used with the bare hand, 
because if any bacteria are introduced into the udder, blood poisoning 
may follow. 

Will such a system injuriously affect the future of the cow? We 
have adopted this system successfully for many years ; we have been 
feeding one herd in A. R. work for three years where they have never 
lost a cow, have never had a really sick cow, but where there has been 
with every animal an increased flow every year; the cows less mature 
have grown larger and stronger, and the same cows, eight in number, 
increased their A. R. records as follows: In both milk and butter 66%. 

This system is exactly what the title of this book implies: feeding 
cows for profit. 

FINIS. 



33 



APPENDIX 

The claims made for prepared feeds, as set out below, are those of 
the manufacturers over their own signatures. We have tried out all 
these feeds, in various combinations for rations, and unhesitatingly 
recommend them as honestly prepared and good feeds. 
SCHUMACHER STOCK FEED. 
Schumacher Stock Feed is a mixed feed composed of corn, oats, barley, 
wheat and cottonseed products, finely ground and thoroughly kiln-dried. Its 
guaranteed analysis is not less than 10% crude protein and 3.25% crude fats. 
Two forty-pound Holsteins, the record Ayrshire and the record Jersey cow had 
Schumacher Stock Feed as part of their rations. 

THE QUAKER OATS CO., 

Per G. A. Chapman. 
LARRO-FEED. 
Larro-feed is a ready mixed ration composed of only pure high-grade 
straight feeding stuffs, viz; Dried Beet Pulp, choice cottonseed meal, gluten 
feed, dried distillers' grains (mainly from corn), wheat bran and wheat mid- 
dlings. These ingredients are blended in a mixture that is a balanced ration with 
ordinary roughage. It is a perfectly safe feed, and a splendid milk producer. 

Very truly yours, 

THE LARROWE MILLING CO., 

Charles Stafif, Secretary. 
SUCRENE. 
Sucrene Dairy Feed is composed of Cottonseed Meal, Gluten Feed, Ground 
and Bolted Grain Screenings, Linseed, Oat Clippings and Molasses. No better, 
healthier, palatable or profitable feed for dairy purposes can be devised. Actual 
feeding tests demonstrates it makes healthier and fleshier cows and more milk 
for less money than any other feed. 

Very truly yours, 

AMERICAN MILLING COMPANY, 

By H. G. Atwood, President. 
KATLEAT. 
SEVENTY-SEVEN per cent, of KATLEAT is composed of Standard Cot- 
ton Seed Meal, Pure Corn Meal, Pure Cane Molasses, the balance being a filler 
of highly digestible hay product, and requiring less silage or roughage. It 
contains NO corn cobs, weed seeds, oat hulls, clippings, screenings, mill sweep- 
ings, or any mill by product. It does not require any additional concentrates to 
produce results, being a correctly balanced ration in itself, with certain 
roughages. G. E. PATTESON CO., 

Per. P. Mclntyre. 
MOLASSINE MEAL. 
MOLASSINE MEAL acts as an antiseptic in the stomach of the animal, 
purifying it, absorbing all noxious gasses, clearing the digestive tract of all harm- 
full bacteria. Nothing will take its place in your rations when working for an 
A. R. record. It enables you to force your cows to the limit without danger of 
impaired digestion. MOLASSINE COMPANY OF AMERICA, 

T. U. Hay, Manager. 
ALLSTOCK MOLASSES GRAINS. 
Allstock Molasses Grains are composed of highest grade dried brewers' grains 
and pure sugarcane molasses; absolutely free from adulteration or inferior ma- 
terials of any sort. Manufactured by special process which includes maceration 
— and filtering and sterilizing of molasses. Exceptionally digestible and highly 
nutritive; stimulates milk flow and acts as mild tonic to physical system. 

Very truly yours, 

THE MEADER ATLAS CO., 

Per S. 
INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL DAIRY FEED 
International Special Dairy Feed is unequalled as a milk producer for use as an 
entire grain ration to be fed in combination with ensilage, hay or other roughage. This 
is the feed that makes your feed bill smaller and milk check larger. 

INTERNATIONAL SUGAR FEED CO., 

Per H. T. Heydrick, Sales Manager. 

34 



INDEX 



Abnormal fat 7 

Absorption, effect of cottonseed meal .... 17 

Alfalfa hay ration 26-28 

Alfalfa vs. Silage 5 

Alfalfa with green fodder 10 

All-stock Molasses Grains 34 

Amount to feed calf 20 

Appendix 34 

A. R. cows, increased yield 32-33 

Ash, function of 3-4 

Ash in bones 4 

Ash in flesh 4 

Ash in framework 30 

Ash in milk 4 

Ash, need for 3 

Balanced ration, defined 4 

Barley Chop 15, 27, 28,29 

Bedding for calves 21 

Beets as succulent 5 

Beet pulp as succulent 5 

Benefits of dried beet pulp 13 

Benefits of roots 5 

Benefits of succulents 5 

Body structure 3 

Body, warmed by feed 3 

Bone-meal for calves 21 

Bones, per cent, of in body 5 

Bran, wheat 16 

Breaking down tissues 3 

Brewers dry grains, ration 29 

Brewers wet grains i6 

Buckwheat middlings, ration 27-28 

Burning feed in body 3 

By-products of corn 14 

Calf, amount to feed 20 

Calf, change of milk for 21 

Calf, growth before birth 30 

Calf meal 22 

Calf, need for cleanliness 20 

Calf, overfeeding 20 

Calf raising 20-3 1 

Calf, sanitary quarters for 21 

Calf, stanchions 21 

Calves sucking ears, etc 21 

Calves, temperature of milk 20 

Calving, care after 31-32 

Calving cows, drench for 31 

Calving feed after 32 

Carbohydrates for thousand pound cow.... 8 

Carbohydrates, functions of 3 

Caseine defined 3 

Caseine, how used 3 

Caseine in milk 3 

Change of milk for calf 21 

Charcoal for calves 21 

Clean milk for calves 21 

Clover hay ration 27 

Colostral milk for calves 20 

Commercial feeds 18 

Comparison costs silage, beet pulp 13 

Concentrates, nutrients 23 

Cooking feeds 7 

Corn, by-products of 14 

Corn meal 14 

Corn meal, effects of 14 

Corn silage 11 

Corn silage, cost of 1.^ 

Corn silage, economy of 5 

Corn silage rations 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 

Corn silage vs. alfalfa 5 

Corn silage vs. roots 5 

Corn silage vs. soiling crops 5 

Corn stover ration 27 

Cost of dried beet pulp 13 

Cost of production in pasture 5 

Cottonseed meal 17 

Cottonseed meal, effect on abortion 17 

Cow, her own chemist 32 

Cows, coming in 30-31 

Cows, feeding when thin 26 

Cows, scouring 5 

Cows, testing each 4 

Cows, variations in 4 

Cows, why thin 3, 30 

Defining ratio 4 

Defining rat'on 4 

Defining maintenance ration 4 

Defining narrow ration 4 

Defining wide ration 4 

Digestibility 6 

Digestibility need of 4 

Digestible nutrients defined 4 

Digestible nutrients in concentrates 23 



Digestible nutrients in dry fodders 22 

Digestible nutrients in roots 23 

Digestible nutrients in soiling fodders . . 22 

Digestible nutrients in sundries 24 

Digestion, aiding 4 

Digestive fluids, secretion of 7 

Distillers dry grains i6 

Drench for incoming cows 31 

Dried beet pulp, benefits of 13 

Dried beet pulp, cost of 13 

Dried beet pulp, succulent 5, 13 

Dry cows 3, 30 

Dry cows, beet pulp for 13 

Dry fodders 10 

Dry fodders digestible nutrients 22 

Dry matter, amount needed 8 

Dry matter in roughage 8, 9 

Energy, how furnished 3 

Examples of fibre 8 

Excess protein 3 

Farm grown ration 27, 28 

Fat, abnormal 7 

Fat in first milk 7 

Fat, how varying 7 

Fat in miik 7 

Fat in strippings 7 

Fat, normal 7 

Fat, where taken from 7 

Feed, gluten 17 

Feeding calves 20 

Feeding cows after calving 31 

Feeding incoming cows and heifers 31 

Feeding molasses 5 

Feeding, regularity of 7 

Feeds, commercial 18 

Feeds, cooking of 7 

Feeds, molasses 18 

Feeds, prepared 18 

Feed, when to reduce 32 

Fertilizers, molasses feeds as 20 

Fibre 8 

Fibre, amount of 8 

Fibre, crude 8 

Fibre, defined 8 

Fibre, examjiles of 8 

Fibre in grains 8 

Fibre in grass 8 

Fibre in hays 8 

Fibre in roots 8 

Fibre in straws 8 

Fibre, laws against 8 

Flesh, stored for use 32 

Fodders, dry 10 

Fodders, green 10 

Fodders, protein in 11 

Fodders, soiling, nutrients in 23 

Fresh cows, feeding of 31, 32 

Functions of ash 3, 4 

Gluten feed 17 

Gradual increase of feed 32 

Grain for calves 21 

Grains, brewers' wet 16 

Grains, cost per pound protein 24, 25 

Grains, distillers' dried 16 

Grains, distillers' dried from corn 16 

Grains, distillers' dried from rye 16 

Grains, fibre in 8 

Grains, mixing 14 

Grains, number to feed 6 

Grains, rich in protein 9 

Grass, fibre in 8 

Green fodders 10 

Green fodders with alfalfa 10 

Green fodders with mixed hay 10 

Ground oats 15 

Growth aided by feed 33 

Growth of cow, need for 30 

Growth of unborn calf 30 

Guernsey ration 29 

Hair, growth of 3, 30 

Hand feeding, calves 20 

Hay, cost per pound protein 25 

Hay for calves 21 

Hay for calves, when to feed 21 

Hay, how made palatable 5 

Hays, fibre in 8 

Hays, protein in 11 

Hay, timothy 10 

Heifer, growing udder 30 

Hoofs, growth of 30 

Hominy chop 15 

Hoofs growth of 30 

Importance of roughage 9 



Incoming cows, drenching 31 

Incoming cows, need for protein 30, 31 

Incoming cows, ration for 31 

Increase of feed gradual 32 

Increasing A. R. yields 32,33 

International Special Dairy Feeds 35 

Jersey ration 29 

June pasture 4 

Katl-Eat 34 

Kidneys, affected by roots 5 

Kinds distillers dried grains 16 

Larro-feed 34 

Laws against fibre 8 

Light feed after calving 31 

Linseed oil meal 17 

Linseed oil meal, how fed 17 

Linseed oil meal as succulent 5 

Liver, affected by roots 5 

Maintenance ration defined 4 

Mangel ration 29 

Mastication 6 

Middlings, whSat 16 

Milk, change of for calf 21 

Milk, colostral 20 

Milk, fat in 7 

Milk, mother's for calf 20 

Milk, shrinkage of 3 

Milk, skim for calves 20 

Milk tainted by turnips 5 

Milk, temperature for calves 20 

Mineral matter in feed 3 

Mixed hay rations 26, 27, 29 

Mixed hay with green fodder 10 

Mixing grains 14 

Molasses 18 

Molasses as succulent 5 

Molasses, effect on infants 19 

Molasses, feeding in Europe 19 

Molasses feeds 18, 34 

Molasses feeds as fertilizer 20 

Molasses, fondness of cows for 5 

Molasses grains 34 

Molassine Meal 35 

Molasses, prejudices against 19 

Molasses, quantity to feed 5 

Molasses with poor hay 5 

Narrow ratio defined 4 

Narrow ration defined 4 

Nature's food 4 

Nervous cows 4 

Nutrients digestible in concentrates 23 

Nutrients, digestible in dry fodders 22 

Nutrients, digestible in roots 23 

Nutrients, digestible in soiling fodders .... 22 

Nutrients, digestible in sundries 24 

Nutrients, three classes 3 

Oat straw ration 29 

Overfeeding calf 20 

Palatability, effects of 5 

Palatability, how obtained 5 

Palatability, need of 4 

Palatability of grains 5 

Palatability of pasture 6 

Palatability, result of 6 

Pasture, calves turned on 22 

Pasture, June 4 

Pasture, water in 4 

Prepared feeds 18 

Protein, cost of various grains 24, 25 

Protein, cost of various hays 25 

Protein, cost of various straws 25 

Protein, cost per pound in grain 24 

Protein, cost per pound in hays 25 

Protein cost per pound in straws 25 

Protein excess, how used 3 

Protein, for thousand pound cow 8 

Protein functions of 3 

Protein in fodders 11 

Protein in hay 11 

Protein in soiling crops 10 

Protein in straws 11 

Protein, need of in feed 3 

Protein, shortage of 3 

Raising calves 20 

Ratio defined 4 

Ratio, example of 4 

Ratio of roughage 9 

Ration, balanced defined 4 

Ration for fresh cows 31 

Ration for incominc; cows 31 

Ration, narrow defined 4 

Ration, wide defined 4 

Rations for Guernsey 29 

Ration for Jersey 2'> 

Rations with alfalfa 26, 27 

Rations with farm grown crops 27, 28, 29 



Rations with oat straw 29 

Ration with soy bean meal 28, 29 

Ration with timothy hay 25 

Ration with roots 29 

Rebuilding tissues 3 

Red Dog flour 15 

Reducing feed 32 

Regularity in feeding 7 

Rich protein grains 9 

Roots as succulents 5 

Roots, benefits of 14 

Roots, digestible nutrients in 23 

Roots, expense to grow 5 

Roots, fibre in 8 

Roots, ration 29 

Roots vs. corn silage 5 

Roots, water in 5 

Roughage, dry matter in 8, 9 

Roughage, importance of 9 

Roughage, ratio of 9 

Roughages 8 

Roughage, use of 8 

Rye feed 15 

Sample rations 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 

Saving through silage S 

Schumacher Stock feed 34 

Scouring of cows 5 

Secretion of digestive fluids 7 

Shrinking in milk 3 

Silage, cost of low 5 

Silage, preferred to alfalfa 5 

Silage, quantity consumed 5 

Silage, ration 26 

Silage, saving by 5, 11, 12 

Silage, summer 11 

Silage vs. alfalfa 5 

Silage vs. soiling crops 5 

Silo 5 

Soaking dried beet pulp 5 

Soiling crops, protein in 18 

Soiling crops vs. silage 5 

Soiling fodders, nutrients in 22 

Soy bean meal ration 28, 29 

Stanchions for calf 21 

Stored flesh, use of 32 

Stover ration 27 

Straws, fibre in 8 

Straws, protein cost per pound 25 

Straws, protein in 11 

Strippings, fat in 7 

Succulence, benefits of S 

Succulence in beets 5 

Succulence in dried beet pulp 5 

Succulence in mangles 5 

Succulense in molasses 5 

Succulence in roots 5 

Succulence in turnips 5 

Succulence, its functions 4 

Succulence, need for 4 

Sucking calves 2 

Sucrene Feed 4 

Sugar beet ration 29 

Sugar beets, value of 30 

Sugars in molasses 19 

Sundries, digestible nutrients in 24 

Sunlight for calves 21 

Sweets, fondness of cows for S 

Temperature of milk for calves 20, 21 

Testing cows 4 

Thin cows 3, 26, 30 

Thousand pound cow, carbs. for 8 

Thousand pound cow, protein for 8 

Timothy hay 10 

Timothy hay ration 25 

Tissues, breaking down 3 

Tissues of udder 3 

Tissues, rebuilt by feed 3 

Tubers, digestible nutrients in 23 

Turnips as succulents 5 

Turnips, ration 29 

Turnips, tainting milk 5 

Udder, heifer's growth of 30 

Ladder, tissues, how rebuilt 3 

Udder trouble lessened 33 

LTnborn calf, growth of 3 

LTses of roughage 8 

Variation in cows 4 

Variation in fat 7 

Warmth of body 3 

Water in pasture grass 4 

Water in roots 5 

Wet grains, brewers' 16 

Wheat bran 16 

Wheat middlings 16 

Wide ration defined 4 

Yields of A. R. cows increased . .- 32 



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